Branch Inks 4-Year Contract Extension to Remain at Wyoming

LARAMIE -- Mark Branch isn't going anywhere.

Wyoming's head wrestling coach, fresh off a career-best 7-1 record in Big XII action and the crowning of three All-Americans, has agreed to a 4-year contract extension that will keep him in Laramie until 2031, the school announced on Thursday afternoon.

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Branch, who has been at the helm for 19 seasons, has an overall record of 159-99 and has produced 97 NCAA qualifiers, along with 21 All-Americans.

“I feel like this program is hitting its stride and realizing its potential, and I’m truly honored to be part of it,” Branch said in a statement. “This is an exciting time for Wyoming wrestling, and to continue calling this place my home is an immense privilege. I am humbled to have an administration that believes in me, supports our student-athletes and celebrates our success.

"What more could I ask for?"

Wyoming is coming off an impressively strong 2025-26 campaign. The Cowboys went 8-5 in duals and their record in conference action was the best since joining the league a decade ago.

Things got even better in the postseason.

Three Cowboys earned All-American status --  Joey Novak (197), Eddie Neitenbach (184) and Christian Carroll (HWT) -- matching a program best and marking Branch’s most at a single NCAA Championship. The 38 points scored in Cleveland were the most ever for the program, and the 12th-place finish was the highest since 1967.

The three listed above, along with NCAA qualifiers of Luke Willochell (133) and Riley Davis (174), are expected to return next season.

Wyoming last week also inked volleyball coach Kaylee Prigge to a multi-year deal that runs through 2029.

Branch came to Wyoming from Oklahoma State where he was the associate head coach for six years, as well as a four-time NCAA finalist as a student-athlete. He was part of five NCAA team championships as a coach and student-athlete at OSU.

As a college wrestler, Branch was a member of the Cowboys’ 1994 NCAA Championship team, and served on the coaching staff for OSU’s 2002, 03, 04 and 05 NCAA titles.

While competing for those Cowboys, Branch was a four-time NCAA All-American (1994-97), four-time NCAA national finalist (1994-97), two-time NCAA national champion at 167 pounds (1994 and 97) and a two-time national freestyle All-American (1998 and 99). In 1997, he was named the Big 12 Athlete of the Year, OSU Student-Athlete of the Year and the top graduating senior for OSU wrestling.

He was a four-time NWCA Academic All-American, received an NCAA postgraduate scholarship and a Big 12 post-graduate scholarship.

As a member of the OSU's coaching staff, Branch was named the NWCA Assistant Coach of the Year in 2004. He helped coach the Cowboys to seven Big XII titles, four NCAA Championships and three Dual Team Championships.

He was named the Associate Head Coach at OSU in 2002. He coached 57 All-Americans and 16 NCAA champions.

Branch earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Oklahoma State in 1997 and earned his master’s degree in athletic administration from OSU in 2000. He’s a native of Newkirk, Oklahoma.

Branch is married to former miss Alysia Paulson and they have four children: Calvin Germinaro, Maggie Branch, Charlie Germinaro and Mason Branch.

* A UW press release contributed to this report. Branch's full biography can also be found HERE.